Most GPs are unaware of their duties under new act

GPs may be surprised to find out they will need to comply with the Freedom of Information Act when it becomes law in England and Wales on 1 January 2005.

That was the message from the BMA's representative to a parliamentary select committee monitoring how effectively the new act is being introduced.

Dr John Grenville, a member of BMA General Practitioner Committee, made the statement while giving evidence last week (Tuesday 12 October) to the House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee.

“I think those who had read the Labour manifesto in 1997 probably thought this was about open government rather than GPs having to give information,” he said. “I do not think they followed it very closely—until they began …